101 Party Dos & Don'ts

How to throw a bash that guests will never forget.

For House Beautiful's ultimate entertaining guide, we asked our favorite designers, event planners, and bloggers for advice about how to host a successful soiree. The experts share their easy tips for setting a stunning dinner table, creating an inviting space for guests, making the perfect playlist, and more. These dinner party ideas will make holiday entertaining a joy.

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Create a Playlist

"Create a music playlist that's ready to begin as soon as the doorbell rings and doesn't end until the last guest departs."
—Colin Cowie, event planner

"Crispy ironed linens! There is nothing so luxurious as to sit at a table with a lovely ironed tablecloth and spread an ironed napkin over your lap."
—Barbara Barry, Designer

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Charm the Host

"Don't come to a party empty-handed."
—Jayne Michaels, designer

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Don't Recipe Search on Party Day

"Don't try a new recipe at a party."
—Tricia Foley, designer/author

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Use Your China

"Don't use plastic."
—Jennifer Rubell, artist/writer

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Send Formal Invitations

"Send out a proper invite. A handwritten one is preferable, but the online versions at PaperlessPost are quite wonderful."
—Ken Fulk, designer

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Christian Kargl/Westend61/Corbis

Serve Appetizers Family-Style

"Serve the first course family-style by placing platters on the table for everyone to share. It gives you time to work on your next course."
—Lidia Bastianich, TV host, chef/cookbook author

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Jo-Ann Richards/First Light/Corbis

Play with the Centerpiece

"Flowers are overused as centerpieces. Use seasonal fruit, a tureen, or an interesting sculptural centerpiece instead."
—Christopher Spitzmiller, ceramic designer

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Host an Intimate Dinner

"The perfect number for a dinner party is six to eight. You want festive conversation, but not so many people that the conversations are always split up."
—Sara Kate Gillingham-Ryan, The Kitchn by Apartment Therapy

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Set Up a DIY Cocktail Bar

"Let guests make their own cocktails. I have a few favorite recipes on cards, and all the ingredients on hand. People mix and shake and think it's super-fun."
—Paul Lowe, food/prop stylist, Sweet Paul

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Don't Delay Dinner for Tardy Guests

"Don't wait for late guests. People resent being hungry."
—Isaac Mizrahi, fashion designer

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Arrive on Time

"Don't be late."
—David Serrano, co-owner Downtown & Outside Downtown

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Annabelle Breakey

Follow the One-Bite Rule

"Keep hors d'oeuvres to one bite. No one wants to talk or kiss with a mouthful."
—Larry Laslo, designer

"If you are sending flowers as a thank-you, don't send them the same day as the dinner. Much better to send two days before or two days after."
—Harry Slatkin, fragrance guru

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Prepare Naughty and Nice Desserts

"Offer a choice of desserts — something sweet and sinful like a peach crisp with vanilla ice cream and something lighter like poached pears. Guests usually take some of each."
—Bunny Williams, designer

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Adults Only, Please

"Look, I know your child is adorable. I know your dog is even more adorable and not given to begging at the table. Still, both parties would be better off having their own party in another room (like the kitchen) and, ideally, at a different time (like before the guests arrive)."
—Meghan Daum, author

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Keep Champagne on Hand

"You should always have a cold bottle of bubbly stashed in your refrigerator in case friends drop by, and a bottle of something sparkly for nondrinkers."
—Christopher Hirsheimer, Co-founder, Canal House Cooking

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Give Out Party Favors

"Always do favors. People love leaving with a little something."
—Amen Wardy, retailer/tastemaker

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